When you say something is tradition, it usually refers to a time honoured set of practices; something that is done for generations. While performing at the University’s International Evening has yet to become a tradition for the Malaysian Students’ Society, we try, every year, to put on a jolly good show.
On the back of last year’s performance which went down very well with the audience, there was added pressure this year to put on something equally well received. Sticking with the concept of ‘dikir’, this year’s choreographers matched the steps of Negeri Sembilan’s Tarian Endang to the beat of Dikir Puteri.
Practice began almost a month before, and as usual, they were intensive. There was a song to be learnt by heart, and also the moves that accompanied the song. Outside looking in, it seemed simple and uncomplicated, but having gone through the experience last year, things were not quite that simple. There was an art to getting them right, and more importantly, how to carry on as if nothing happened when you commit the blunder of blunders.
Along the way things were added and things we dropped, and as D-Day approached, apprehension grew as to whether we could ever equal, never mind top, last year’s performance. In the end we settled for a 3-in-1 extravaganza : a silat demonstration to open things, done to the majestic tune of Mentera Semerah Padi; the Tarian Endang moves done to the beat of Dikir Puteri and a chorus of Rasa Sayang as we left the stage.
We were the last act to go on stage; and prior to our performance, only two other performances utilised the stage to its full capacity. Most of the other performances were soloists or a double act; so in terms of the number of people on stage, we pretty much won hands down. But of course, it wasn’t numbers that counted.
After getting members of the Singaporean Society to cheer us on as we walked onto stage, everybody filed on from both the right and left side of the stage to the beat of the kompang. As the cheers quietened down, the boys started to perform the silat demonstration, which got the crowd in the mood. Then the actual endang performance began – and as I watched from the sidelines, my worry number 1 was abated – no sulky faces on stage, everyone was actually smiling!
The crowd seemed enthralled. There was no visible sign of chitchatting or people generally looking bored – all eyes were focused onto the stage. And as our performance ended, the applause was rapturous. However well last year’s performers were received, this year’s performers received equal accolade. Everyone filed off the stage to the tune of Rasa Sayang, and I could see some Asians in the front row singing along. You know you’ve hit the big time when the crowd knows your song 
International Evening though isn’t just about the performances. It was also an opportunity to showcase our country, its culture and the food. This year we managed to secure a very good location for our booth; and having been given wider space, we were able to provide more to those who came by. The crowd was thronging our booth – and after a while we figured out why: free food!
All in all, my personal reflection is that it was a job well done. The performance and the booth were equally well received; and to the two ‘project managers’ Mas Ayu and Jun, my most heartiest of congratulations and appreciations. To the cooks who made the great food ‘possible’, and to the performers, choreographers and even the crowd who lent support – a job well done.
As we were clearing up after the event, the University’s International Officer came by to see me and congratulated the Malaysian Society performance. She wanted our performance to be last, because she knew it would capture the audience – and it was a well made decision, she told me. What did I say in return? Typically Idlan, nothing. Just scratched my head and smiled like an idiot for a minute or so, before I remembered my manners and said, Thank you.
Pictures 1 & 2 courtesy of http://afiza.fotopages.com
More pictures at: http://www.idlanzakaria.com/gallery
